You stumble up the front steps of Lottie’s house, your head pounding with the argument still replaying in your mind. Your hands tremble as you lift them to knock, but the door swings open before you can. “Hey!” Nat’s voice greets cheerfully, but she instantly softens when she sees your face. “What happened?”

Lottie appears behind her, and her eyes widen as she, too, takes in the state that you’re in. She gently nudges Nat aside, reaching out to guide you inside. “Come in,” she urges.

You hesitate, wondering if maybe coming here was a mistake, because you don’t wanna drag your girlfriends down with you, but Lottie’s warm hand on your arm & Nat’s concerned gaze pull you forward.

“Did they yell at you again?” Nat asks as the door falls shut behind you. “What did they say?”

“Nat, don’t push,” Lottie tells her, caressing the small of your back. “Come sit down. You don’t have to talk about it yet if you don’t want to.”

You nod, swallowing hard as you let them lead you to the couch. Lottie settles beside you & Nat sits on the armrest, her knee bouncing as if she’s fighting the urge to go confront your parents herself.

“I didn’t know where else to go,” you finally admit, voice cracking. “It was…bad.”

“You don’t need to go anywhere else,” Nat says firmly, her eyes locking on yours. Lottie nods in agreement. “We’re here for you, whatever you need.”

There’s a pause before Nat shifts, her hand resting lightly on your knee. “Want me to grab you some water? Or we could put on some music or something? Distract you a little?”

Lottie smiles softly. “Or we could just sit here and not talk at all. It’s up to you!”